Ragheema Mclean, Author at Voice of the Cape

District Six Museum celebrates 30 years of preserving history and community spirit

The District Six Museum, a cherished cultural landmark in Cape Town, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Opened on 10 December 1994, the museum has spent three decades preserving the history and stories of the vibrant District Six community, forcibly removed during apartheid. The festivities continue this Saturday, 14 December 2024, with a special public event. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, District Six Collections Manager Chrischene Julius explained that the […]

12 December 2024

Local

Elsies River community marches for peace amidst gang violence

The community of Elsies River and its neighboring areas have taken a united stand against gang violence, declaring they will not live in fear. This sentiment was expressed during a mass prayer march on Sunday (8 December), where hundreds of residents gathered to demand an end to the escalating violence that has plagued the area. The march comes in the wake of the tragic murder of 14-year-old Grantham Jamiel van […]

9 December 2024

Local

Valhalla Park residents plead for peace amid escalating gang violence

Residents of Valhalla Park in Bishop Lavis are living in constant fear as gang violence continues to spiral out of control. Tensions over gang territory and leadership have fueled a series of violent incidents, leaving the community on edge as the festive season approaches. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, Bishop Lavis Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson Graham Lindhorst described the dire state of the area, highlighting the toll the violence has […]

5 December 2024

Local

South Africa’s economy shrinks by 0.3% in Q3, agricultural decline hits hard

South Africa's economy experienced a 0.3% contraction in the third quarter of 2024, following a revised 0.3% growth in the second quarter, according to data released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday morning (3 December 2024). The latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures highlight significant challenges, with agriculture, transport, and communications emerging as the leading contributors to the economic decline. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, Economist Dawie Roodt expressed surprise at […]

4 December 2024

Local

Heideveld woman burned beyond recognition amid 16 days of activism

The burned body of a 40-year-old woman was discovered on Tuesday morning (3 December), in an abandoned building on Jonkershoek Road in Heideveld. The gruesome discovery has shocked the local community, especially as it comes during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that investigations have led to two persons of interest a 29-year-old woman and a 40-year-old […]

3 December 2024

Local

Shelter movement highlights funding gaps during 16 Days of Activism

As South Africa observes the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the dire challenges faced by shelters supporting survivors of gender-based violence have come under the spotlight. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, Delene Roberts, Western Cape Representative for the National Shelter Movement SA, shed light on the role shelters play and the systemic barriers they face in providing aid to survivors. “What the shelters offer […]

29 November 2024

Local

COSATU pushes for tax reforms to relieve workers’ financial strain

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has submitted its input on the proposed amendments to the Revenue and Taxation Laws to Parliament, advocating for urgent measures to ease the financial burden on workers. This comes after the National Treasury and South African Revenue Service (SARS) published the 2024 draft tax bills and regulations for public comment. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks outlined key recommendations, […]

28 November 2024

Local

SASSA to roll out facial recognition to combat fraud

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is set to reintroduce facial recognition technology nationwide to address vulnerabilities in the grant system and curb identity theft. This decision follows allegations of grant fraud raised by two Stellenbosch University students, prompting a 30-day investigation by the Department of Social Development. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi acknowledged the findings of the preliminary investigative report, which highlighted weaknesses in the […]

28 November 2024

Local

Activists urge action amid persisting violence against women and children on the Cape Flats

Despite a slight decline in overall crime rates in the Western Cape, activists are sounding the alarm over the persistent and alarming levels of violence against women and children, particularly in gang-ridden areas. Recent crime statistics reveal a 12.82% drop in incidents this year, but the figures remain concerning, with around 80 children killed every three months in the region. In response, calls for a special probe into gun violence […]

27 November 2024

Ragheema Mclean

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